Quick answer: good camping hygiene starts with washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before handling food and after using the toilet, as the CDC recommends, with alcohol-based sanitizer of at least 60% alcohol as a backup. Wash yourself and your dishes at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, use only small amounts of biodegradable soap, and scatter strained wash water, following Leave No Trace guidance. Pack out wipes and menstrual products, bury human waste in a 6 to 8 inch cathole if there are no toilets, change into clean, dry socks daily and store toiletries with food in bear country.
Staying clean while camping is about more than comfort. Dirty hands spread stomach bugs through a group quickly, damp clothing leads to chafing and blisters, and careless washing can pollute the lakes and streams that make a campsite worth visiting. A few habits handle all three problems.
This guide covers handwashing, bathing, dental care, hair, menstrual care, clothing, toilets and wildlife-safe storage, for both developed campgrounds and backcountry sites. It sits within our broader camping safety guide, which covers the other risks to plan for.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) handwashing and hand sanitizer guidance, norovirus and healthy water pages; Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (Seven Principles, Dispose of Waste Properly); National Park Service backcountry and food storage guidance; U.S. Forest Service and Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee food storage guidance. Checked October 2026.
Why Camping Hygiene Matters
Outbreaks of stomach illness at camps and on group trips are well documented. The CDC identifies norovirus as the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea from acute gastroenteritis in the United States and notes that it spreads easily through contaminated hands, food, water and surfaces. Shared food, shared water jugs and limited handwashing make camping a natural setting for it to pass from person to person.
Hygiene also protects the environment. The Leave No Trace Center explains that even biodegradable soap can harm aquatic life when it goes directly into lakes and streams, and that human waste near water can spread pathogens such as Giardia. Good camping hygiene keeps both people and places healthy.
Handwashing at Camp
Soap and water first
The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing the backs of hands, between fingers and under nails, then rinsing and drying. Key times at camp include:
- Before preparing or eating food
- After using a toilet, pit toilet or cathole
- After handling raw meat, eggs or fish
- After touching garbage, pets or animal waste
- After changing diapers or helping a child use the toilet
- After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
Set up a handwashing station
Most campsites have no sink. A simple station makes washing easy enough that people actually do it.
- Fill a water jug with a spigot and set it on the edge of the table, or hang a jug from a tree with a strap.
- Place a basin or bucket underneath to catch the gray water.
- Keep a pump bottle of liquid soap and a roll of paper towels or a quick-dry towel beside it.
- Put a small trash bag nearby for used towels.
- Dispose of the collected water properly, as described below.
A “tippy tap” style setup, where a foot pedal tilts a jug, is a popular hands-free option for families and groups.
When hand sanitizer helps, and when it does not
The CDC says alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol is a good option when soap and water are not available. It also notes that sanitizer does not work as well on hands that are visibly dirty or greasy, and does not kill every type of germ. The CDC specifically notes that sanitizer is less effective than handwashing against norovirus. At camp, use sanitizer as a quick backup, and wash with soap and water whenever hands are grimy or after toilet use if you can.
Washing Up Without Polluting Water
Leave No Trace guidance for washing yourself or your dishes is straightforward:
- Carry water at least 200 feet (about 70 adult steps) away from lakes, streams and springs before washing.
- Use small amounts of biodegradable soap, or none at all for a quick rinse.
- Strain food bits from dishwater and pack them out with your trash.
- Scatter the gray water broadly over the ground rather than dumping it in one spot.
- Never wash directly in a lake or stream, even with biodegradable soap.
In developed campgrounds, use the designated gray water drains or utility sinks if the campground provides them, and follow posted rules. Many campgrounds ask campers not to wash dishes in restroom sinks.
For a full routine for cleaning cookware, see our guide on how to wash dishes while camping.
Bathing and Showers
Campground showers
Many developed campgrounds, including state parks and private campgrounds, have shower buildings, sometimes coin-operated. Bring shower sandals, a toiletry bag that hangs or stands on its own, a quick-dry towel and a change of clothes in a dry bag. Shower sandals help protect against athlete’s foot in shared facilities.
Sponge baths
When there is no shower, a sponge bath works well:
- Heat a little water if it is cold out, and pour it into a basin.
- Carry the basin and a washcloth at least 200 feet from any water source.
- Wash face, underarms, groin and feet first, which are the areas that matter most for odor and comfort.
- Use a small amount of biodegradable soap or none at all.
- Scatter the used water widely.
Solar shower bags
A solar shower is a dark bag that warms water in sunlight, with a hose and nozzle at the bottom. Hang it from a sturdy branch or a vehicle roof rack and shower away from water sources. On sunny days, the water can get surprisingly hot, so test the temperature before use.
Wet wipes
Wipes are convenient but are a trash item. Most are made with plastic fibers and do not break down quickly. Pack them out in a sealed bag, never bury them and never leave them in pit toilets, which the National Park Service notes are difficult and costly to clean out.
Swimming
A swim in a lake can feel like a shower, but sunscreen and insect repellent wash off into the water. Leave No Trace suggests rinsing off away from the water before swimming if you are wearing a lot of sunscreen or repellent, and choosing designated swimming areas where they exist.
Teeth, Hair and Face
Brushing teeth
Brush as usual with a small amount of toothpaste. In the backcountry, Leave No Trace suggests spitting toothpaste and rinse water away from camp and water sources, ideally spraying it broadly rather than leaving a concentrated spot that may attract animals. Use treated or boiled water for brushing if the water source is untreated; our guide on how to find and treat water while camping explains the options.
Hair
Dry shampoo, a bandana or a cap gets most people through a weekend. For longer trips, wash hair over a basin away from water sources and scatter the water. A small towel or microfiber hair wrap speeds drying in cool weather.
Face and skin
A gentle wipe of the face and neck morning and night removes sweat, sunscreen and dust. Use a washcloth with clean water and pack out any disposable cleansing wipes.
Toilet Hygiene
Campground toilets and pit toilets
Wash or sanitize your hands after every visit. Keep toilet paper in a zip bag so it stays dry. Never put trash, wipes, menstrual products or food into pit toilets.
Catholes in the backcountry
Where there are no toilets, Leave No Trace recommends digging a cathole 6 to 8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails, then filling it in and disguising it afterward. Pack out used toilet paper in many areas, and always pack out wipes and hygiene products. Some places, including certain river canyons, deserts and high-use areas, require you to pack out all human waste in approved bags. Our guide on how to go to the bathroom while camping goes into detail.
Menstrual Care While Camping
Periods do not need to change camping plans, but they do require a plan for supplies and waste.
- Bring more products than you think you need.
- Pack used pads and tampons out in a sealed, opaque bag; never bury them or put them in pit toilets.
- Consider a menstrual cup or reusable products, which reduce waste. Empty cups into a cathole or toilet, and rinse with treated water.
- Wash hands before and after changing products, using soap and water where possible.
- In bear country, store used products with your food and trash in a bear canister or locker.
The National Park Service notes there is no evidence that menstruation increases the risk of bear attacks, but scented waste of any kind should still be stored securely.
Clothing and Foot Care
Damp, dirty clothes cause many of the comfort problems people blame on camping.
- Change into a clean, dry pair of socks every day, and dry wet socks in the sun or by hanging them in the tent.
- Keep a dedicated set of clean, dry sleep clothes that never leave the tent.
- Choose quick-drying fabrics such as polyester, nylon or merino wool rather than cotton, which stays wet longer.
- Air out sleeping bags and pads each morning when the weather allows.
- Pack a small laundry bag to keep dirty clothes separate.
Checking feet each evening for blisters, hot spots and ticks is an easy habit to build. The CDC recommends checking your whole body for ticks after time in grassy or wooded areas.
Keeping Toiletries Away From Wildlife
Toothpaste, deodorant, lip balm, sunscreen and soap all have scents that can attract bears, raccoons and rodents. The National Park Service and the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee advise storing all scented items with food in bear-resistant lockers, canisters or vehicles where permitted. Never keep toiletries in your tent in bear country. See our guide on how to store food safely from bears and raccoons for storage methods.
A Camping Hygiene Kit Checklist
A small kit covers most needs:
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Biodegradable liquid soap | Handwashing, dishes, bathing |
| Hand sanitizer (60%+ alcohol) | Backup when water is limited |
| Water jug with spigot and basin | Handwashing station |
| Quick-dry towel and washcloth | Bathing and drying |
| Toothbrush and small toothpaste | Dental care |
| Toilet paper in a zip bag | Toilets and catholes |
| Trowel | Digging catholes |
| Zip bags or odor-proof bags | Packing out wipes, toilet paper and hygiene products |
| Shower sandals | Campground showers |
| Clean socks and sleep clothes | Comfort and foot care |
| Menstrual supplies | As needed |
| Nail clippers and small mirror | Grooming and checking for ticks |
Camping Hygiene Summary
Camping hygiene comes down to clean hands, careful washing and good waste habits. Wash with soap and water for 20 seconds before food and after the toilet, and use sanitizer only as a backup, since the CDC notes it works poorly on dirty hands and against norovirus. Wash yourself and your dishes 200 feet from water with minimal biodegradable soap, scatter strained gray water and pack out wipes and menstrual products. Bury waste in catholes where allowed, keep feet and clothing dry and store all scented toiletries with your food. These habits keep your group healthy and leave the campsite as clean as you found it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you stay clean while camping without a shower?
Use a sponge bath with a washcloth and a basin of water, focusing on face, underarms, groin and feet. Wash at least 200 feet from water, use little or no soap and scatter the used water.
Is biodegradable soap safe to use in a lake?
No. Leave No Trace advises against using any soap directly in lakes or streams. Carry water at least 200 feet away and scatter the soapy water on the ground.
Does hand sanitizer work while camping?
Sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol helps when soap and water are not available, but the CDC says it works less well on dirty or greasy hands and against norovirus. Wash with soap when you can.
What do you do with used wet wipes and tampons while camping?
Pack them out in a sealed bag with your trash. Do not bury them or put them in pit toilets, and store them with food in bear country.
How do I keep my feet healthy on a camping trip?
Change into clean, dry socks daily, dry wet socks and shoes when you can, and check your feet each evening for blisters, hot spots and ticks.
